Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Serum Foundation with Moisturizing Vitamin-B5 Versus NARS Cosmetics Sheer Glow Foundation
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingIsododecane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Silica
AbrasiveDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTribehenin
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Disodium EDTA
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Methyl Trimethicone, Glycerin, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Isododecane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Silica, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tribehenin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Disodium EDTA, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Mica
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantIsostearic Acid
CleansingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningBis-Butyldimethicone Polyglyceryl-3
CleansingSodium Glutamate
MaskingSorbitan Sesquiisostearate
EmulsifyingPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingPolysilicone-2
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantGlucosyl Hesperidin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeBenzoic Acid
MaskingIron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Isostearic Acid, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Bis-Butyldimethicone Polyglyceryl-3, Sodium Glutamate, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Polysilicone-2, Aluminum Hydroxide, Tocopherol, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Glucosyl Hesperidin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Benzoic Acid, Iron Oxides, CI 77891
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeThis ingredient is a silicone used to improve the texture of products and absorb oil. It does not get absorbed into the skin.
Like other silicones, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer helps condition the skin by creating a barrier. In this sense, it can act as an emollient and trap moisture in.
This ingredient is a type of elastomer.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerDisteardimonium Hectorite comes from the clay mineral named hectorite. It is used to add thickness to a product.
It can also help stabilize a product by helping to disperse other ingredients.
Hectorite is a rare, white clay mineral.
Learn more about Disteardimonium HectoriteGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPolymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterThis ingredient is a combination of red, black, and yellow iron oxide pigments. This combination of colors is usually found in foundation, because it results in a "skin" color.